Assistant Talent & Culture Manager

Scope of Position To assist the Talent & Culture leader in the smooth and efficient operations of Talent & Culture Department, ensuring that all the policies and procedures outlined in the Departmental Operations Manual are strictly adhered to.Essential Duties & Responsibilities1. Remuneration & BenefitsPayroll Processing:Administer payroll for both permanent and non-permanent employees.Ensure timely and accurate payroll processing in accordance with scheduled pay dates.Update salary and master data changes in the payroll system.Capture timesheet hours, leave, maternity leave, commissions, gratuities, adhoc inputs, submissions and deductions in the payroll system.Track and report on the employment duration of non-permanent staff as per legal requirements.Balances Monthly Payroll and distributes reports and Employee Pay slips.Manages all the Employee Benefits, i.e., Medical Aid, Retirement Fund, Disability, Retirement Plans and Death Claims (Initial Processing and handing over the tracking of the process to T&C).Assists Talent and Culture with Salary Programs; ensuring equitable and consistent application of compensation policies and guidelines taking into consideration Salary and Remuneration Benchmarks.Assists Talent and Culture in the Administration of compensation programs, reviewing changes in salaries for conformance to policy; identify and analyze compensation problems and recommend solutions.Off-Boarding employees, including cancelation/transfer of Medical Aid, Provident Fund and ensure that the Sage system is updated accordingly.Maintain and update Heartists' records for all employee status changes (e.g., new hires, transfers, promotions, resignations), ensuring complete accuracy.Manage updates to Heartists' benefits, including salary, bonuses, and other payroll-related data.Critically review and analyze current payroll, benefits and tax procedures in order to recommend and implement changes leading to best-practice operations.Ensure systems are set-up and updated to reflect our current employee base, including wages, benefits, sick and leave time in line with contracts.Monthly Reconciliation and Reporting:Prepare variance reports for payroll reconciliation with the Director of Talent & Culture.Generate and reconcile monthly payroll reports and control accounts.Reconcile third-party payments and request payment processing from the Finance Department.Support the Finance Department with year-end tax procedures.Manage regular preparation of relevant management reports, including weekly, monthly, quarterly and year-end reports (gross payroll, hours worked, leave accrual, tax deductions, benefit deductions, etc)Payroll Administration:Conduct onboarding paperwork with all new joinersDocuments and maintains administrative procedures for compensation, benefits, and payroll process.Submit South African Revenue Services returns and relevant documentation to the Department of Labour in connection with payroll and benefits.Handle communications and administration of employee benefits with external service providers (e.g., Medical Aid, Pension Fund).Authorize and verify changes to salary and other employee details.Oversee and authorize staff loans, advances, and related deductions in compliance with policy and legislation (e.g., garnishee orders).Manage annual salary reviews, increases, and bonus payments.Calculate and verify annual performance-based bonuses and increases, ensuring alignment with individual and business performance.Conduct regular salary audits, analyze results, and make recommendations for improvements to the Talent & Culture Director.Ensure that remuneration and benefits comply with legal and company policies.2. AdministrationSupport the supervision of activities related to Heartists, training, development, administration, and wellbeing in alignment with operational policies and procedures.Assist in managing Talent & Culture administration and recruitment processes, specifically for permanent and seasonal roles.Take responsibility for recruiting Grade 3 to Grade 5 employees as per approved vacancies.3. RecruitmentOversee and coordinate the recruitment process for Grade 3 to Grade 5 roles.Advertise job openings internally and externally within designated timeframes.Screen applicants based on job requirements and timelines, collaborating with Line Management to shortlist candidates.Organize and confirm interview panels.Perform and document reference checks, criminal background checks, and qualification verifications.Represent Talent & Culture in interviews.Share lists of new hires with relevant stakeholders to ensure systems and processes are updated.Maintain and organize recruitment documentation for internal and external reference.Ensure recruitment processes and deadlines are met to enhance internal customer satisfaction.Provide feedback sessions for unsuccessful candidates.4. ReportingCompile the annual Affirmative Action (AA) report and the 3-year plan.Take responsibility for compiling and submitting the AA report, ensuring understudies are appointed and their development is consistently monitored and documented.Drive the achievement of skills development and employment equity goals.Execute actions based on statistical data throughout the reporting period.Prepare monthly administrative reports for Talent & Culture (e.g., Accor, Kasada).Maintain a consolidated monthly overview of vacation and public holiday balances for all Heartists and provide summary reports to the Talent & Culture Leader.Supervise the administration of all government relations and labor department processes.5. Employee RelationsAssist in managing employee grievances and resolving Talent & Culture-related issues efficiently.Oversee employee relations activities, including conflict resolution, disciplinary processes, and performance management.Ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations specific to the hospitality industry.